The Bob “Action” Jackson Bigfoot Encounter in Yellowstone National Park

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Yellowstone National Park's vast wilderness was a stage for numerous, mysterious wildlife encounters. Among the rangers who patrolled these remote areas was Bob Jackson, also known as "Action Jackson." His reputation for enforcing park regulations was legendary, earning him admiration from park supporters and notoriety from scofflaws and outfitters. Jackson, who retired in 2004, was one of the few who knew Yellowstone's backcountry intimately. It was during these years that Jackson experienced a series of events that would leave him questioning the known wildlife of Yellowstone.

One day, while riding up Fan Creek in Yellowstone’s northwest corner with an outfitter, Jackson heard an unusual, haunting sound. It was a continuous noise that filled the entire valley, resembling the cries of a thousand elk in distress. This was unlike anything Jackson had ever heard in his extensive time in the wild. A couple of weeks later, while coming out from Sportsman Creek, Jackson had another eerie encounter. His horses, highly agitated, signaled the presence of something unusual. Peering down a steep sidehill, Jackson spotted a deer bolting through a meadow, followed by a large, black, bipedal figure with long arms.

This creature, which Jackson initially mistook for a bear, moved intelligently, using the thickets for cover as it tried to evade him. It wasn’t running in a straight line like a bear would. Instead, it appeared to be deliberately seeking protection as it fled, which struck Jackson as highly unusual. The sighting left a profound impression on him. He had encountered countless bears during his thousands of miles on horseback through Yellowstone’s backcountry, but this was different. The proportions, the movement, and the intelligence of the creature did not match any known animal.

Intrigued and disturbed, Jackson began to ask others about their experiences. He discovered that several other park visitors and outfitters had heard similar sounds and had seen large, unexplained footprints in the park. One illegal camper in the northeast section of Yellowstone described a noise that had startled him within 20 yards of his campsite. Another outfitter recounted hearing the same mysterious sound in the early 1980s.

In one particularly chilling account, a crew examining blister rust in the 1970s stumbled upon a deboned elk and large footprints near Mountain Creek. The crew, frightened by the strange noises they heard, quickly left the area. Jackson himself saw large footprints while skiing into Heart Lake on the Thorofare, an area known for its deep snow and remoteness. The tracks were enormous and stretched far apart, unlike any human or bear prints he had ever seen.

Another significant incident occurred in the early to mid-1980s near Eagle Creek Pass. As Jackson and his team approached the Howell Creek cabin just before dark, they heard the now-familiar, mechanical, rhythmic noise. Jackson timed it at 26 seconds, coming from about 300-400 yards beyond the cabin. Despite investigating the next day, they found no footprints or other evidence of the creature’s presence. Yet, the sound was so distinct and unlike any known animal that it left an indelible mark on Jackson's memory.

In all his years as a ranger, Jackson never publicly spoke about these encounters until recently. His stories paint a picture of a mysterious presence in Yellowstone’s backcountry, a presence that doesn’t fit into the known categories of wildlife. These encounters, along with similar reports from other witnesses, suggest that there may be more to Yellowstone’s wilderness than meets the eye.

As we reflect on Jackson's experiences, it's crucial to remember the importance of conservation efforts in preserving wildlife. Yellowstone National Park, with its diverse ecosystem, continues to be a sanctuary for countless species. Protecting these natural habitats ensures that the mysteries and wonders of the wild remain for future generations to explore and cherish. The preservation of wildlife and their habitats not only protects known species but may also safeguard the unknown and the unexplained, maintaining the delicate balance of nature in this iconic national park.